How Do You Like Your Eggs?

In my later high school years, when my Mom figured I was old enough to make my own breakfast and elected to sleep in (smart!), my Dad and I would frequently find ourselves together in the early morning kitchen as I prepared to face another day of failure at Algebra and he girded himself for another hated day at the Pentagon. Late high school was not my favorite time of life; ditto for him and Pentagon duty.

We had a little nonsense banter that we shared back then while the eggs poached. I would ask, "Dad, how do you like your eggs?" to which he would reply, "Oh, I like my eggs!" I'd return, "No, no, I mean, how do you like them cooked?" and he'd say, "Oh, I like them cooked!"

I guess you had to be there.

Anyway, now when he has gone to heaven and I'm cooking poached eggs for myself, I always think warmly of our silly Q&A and miss that old guy.

He liked his poached eggs like this: firm whites, firm/runny yolks and, if possible on English muffins. Thomas' English muffins. Thomas' English muffins slathered with butter. And the eggs topped with a little salt and a big grinding of fresh black pepper.

After a breakfast like that, one can face one's duty. Even if it means the Pentagon and Algebra.